Grief Connection Space provides supportive partnerships and community education (space) to schools, organizations, and communities with a focus on grief.

In addition to my role as Director of Buddy's Place, as of March 2022, I am also the Director of School-Based Partnerships. These are two areas - grief and education/schools are both meaningful to me. I have the privilege to work with those navigating grief journeys and share information on grief and also with school and their stakeholders.

Michelle Halm is the director of Buddy’s Place. Buddy’s Place is Pillars Community Health’s bereavement support program for children, teens and their families. Buddy’s Place offers Monthly Gatherings and an 8 Week Session each fall and spring as part of the programming as well as presentations to schools and organizations. In the work she does, she supports children, teens and their families with their grief and helping others understand the impact grief can have on individuals and communities. Prior to becoming the director of Buddy’s Place, Michelle was a volunteer for the program. Michelle Halm is a member of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) and the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and has a Certificate in Thanatology issued by ADEC and has her grief support specialist certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Truman State University and a Master of Education in Community Counseling from Loyola University Chicago. She also has her Professional Educators License (Type 73) from the State of Illinois. Buddy's Place, a program of Pillars Community Health, is a bereavement program offering family-based support groups to grieving children, teens, and their families. Founded by Linda Moran, MS, LCPC, CT, Buddy's Place offers a number of support services including:Services at no costMonthly Gatherings where families share a meal and complete a creative grief-related project8-week sessions which are offered 2 times every year (during spring and fall) where children and teens engage in goal-oriented activities that are age appropriate. At the same time, the parent(s)/caregiver(s) participate in a group where they focus on understanding children's grief and how to better help children work through their grief.

Counselor (Intern) Walter Payton College Prep High School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL July 2008 – June 2009• Advised students on academic topics such as academic performance and transitions, both grade level and school (elementary to high school)• Assisted students in realistic goal setting activities and responsible decision making processes• Developed curriculum and co-facilitated groups focused on study skills/time management, stress management and grief• Facilitated conflict resolutions sessions • Assisted in coordinating and administering standardized exams • Conducted individual psychotherapy and group sessions with students • Coordinated instructional services for students on home/hospital leave• Led activities for the Freshman Connection (transition) Program• Attended professional development sessions focusing on PBIS, RTI, LRE, bullying, IEPs & 504s, and crisis counseling

MEd. - Community Counseling with certification for School Counseling

Teacher, Social StudiesWalter Payton College Prep, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, ILSpring 2009 (4th quarter replacement for teacher on medical leave) & Summer 2009Courses Taught• Honors World Studies• Honors United States History• Consumer Education• Freshman Connection: Writers’ Workshop (Summer 2009) Teacher, Social Studies Manley Career Academy High School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL August 2002 – August 2007 Courses Taught• World Studies (2002-2007) • Global Classrooms (Honors) – Model United Nations (2003-2006)• AP Government (2004-2006)• Honors World Studies (2006-2007)• Homebound Teacher (2004-2007) Leadership Roles, Committee Membership and Extracurricular Activities at Manley Career Academy• Freshman Academy Lead Teacher (2006-2007)• World Studies Course Team Leader (2006-2007)• Lead Teacher for UNA-USA Global Classrooms Model U.N. (2004-2006)• Leadership Council for Manley Career Academy – member (2006-2007)• Student Development and Advisory Committee – member (2004-2007)• Cooperating teacher for student teachers (Spring 2007, Fall 2005, Spring 2005)• Culture and Climate (Discipline) Committee – member (2003-2007)• Girls Bowling Team – head coach (2004-2007)• Test Prep/Saturday School teacher (2002-2006)

Associate Conference Planner – Contract Position CHP International, Oak Park, IL January 2001 – June 2001 & January 2002 – August 2002• Collaborated with planning committees in developing meeting format, financial reporting, full-service logistical planning, on-site meeting management and volunteer management for conferences• Developed conference evaluations; disseminated, collected, tabulated and analyzed evaluations; prepared and distributed reports

Education Coordinator and Program Administrator Smith, Bucklin & Associates, Chicago, IL June 1998 – January 2001• Organized education seminars for industry and allied events, including a major trade show; worked with committees• Managed industry certification program; served as staff liaison to the Certification Board of Governors and Industry Education committee• Contributed to the development of a long-range industry education plan and managed the budget